SYLVANIA, Ohio–A big part of organizational leadership is good hiring, and that often comes down to the value of the questions asked during interviews. Some of the most effective leaders have “go to” interview questions they use to identify the best candidates and weed out the worst.
Writing on Inc.com, Jim Haudan, co-founder and CEO of Root, observed that “most people have favorite interview questions to ask and some believe certain questions can quickly reveal what they need to know about a candidate's cultural and positional fit.”
The best questions force candidates to think and are difficult to prepare for, according to Haudan, who said he has spoken with numerous leaders and put together this list of their "go to" interview questions and why are they so important.
Those questions include:
What are the failures that you most cherish? “This question is the backbone of an effective interview where you want to learn a great deal about a candidate for a job or a partnership,” wrote Haudan. “All success is the result of turning failures into insights and even new mindsets. If someone sees failure as something to avoid instead of cherish, you can almost predict they won't be successful.”
What are the qualities that you like least, and most, about your parents? “This question is especially interesting,” said Haudan. “When I first saw it, it made me think and summarize thoughts that I had carried with me for a long time. Even as I read it now, I have very strong opinions on what I sought to embrace and what I long ago decided to do differently.”
Are you smart, or do you work hard? “Good question. Don't allow the answer to be both.”
If you could go back five years, what advice would you give your younger self? “This is my second most favorite question for revealing a lot about oneself,” wrote Haudan “It takes insight, vulnerability, and commitment to respond to this authentically. The fake answers stick out like a sore thumb.”
How do you develop yourself outside of the work environment? “Development can take all shapes and sizes. It can be found in a hobby, a purposeful pursuit, or in an appetite to explore.”
Is it better to be extraordinary and late, or good and on time? “Like all paradox questions, the simple answer is to be both on time and extraordinary. But don't let your candidates get away with that,” said Haudan. “They must choose only one. The second part of the question, and equally important, is: why would you pick that one?”
What are you most curious about in life? “Ask the candidate to express it in a question,” advised Haudan. “I did this with high-potential sophomores in high school and their ‘curious questions’ blew me away. Questions like, when you die of natural causes, what do you die from? Or, if you need oxygen for a fire, how can the sun burn so brightly up in the sky with no oxygen? I would have hired every one of them after our conversation.”
What is the most courageous thing you have done in your life? “Everyone seems to have a different definition of courageous. It's both revealing and informative to have people share theirs with you.”